Multi-tier parking lot with a waterproof parking space under each ground parking space

ABSTRACT

A parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces with a waterproof underground structure therebelow as an additional parking space is provided. The underground structure has a first waterproof member mounted around opening. A hydraulically-powered platform is mounted in the underground structure. A hydraulically-powered cover has a peripheral second waterproof member. In response to parking an automobile on the platform the platform is activated to lower and the cover is adapted to close onto the underground structure, and the second waterproof member is sealingly engaged with the first waterproof member when the platform lowers to a stop position in the underground structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to multi-tier parking structures and moreparticularly to a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces witha waterproof underground structure therebelow as an additional parkingspace.

2. Description of Related Art

Parking in urban areas has become increasingly difficult due to lessspace available. Hence, how to effectively utilize a few availableparking spaces is an important issue.

Nowadays, many multi-storey car parks or the like are constructedworldwide for saving parking spaces. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos.6,302,634 and 5,374,150 disclose multi-tier parking lot. Thus,continuing improvements in the exploitation of multi-tier parkingstructure are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a parking lothaving a plurality of parking spaces with a waterproof undergroundstructure therebelow as an additional parking space.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment ofmulti-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of the parking structure ofFIG. 1 where the platform have been lowered to be flush with the groundto allow a car to park thereon;

FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A where the platform is being furtherlowered in the underground structure and the cover is pivoting downwardat the same time;

FIG. 2C is a view similar to FIG. 2A where the platform has been fullylowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the cover isflush with the ground to conceal the car;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment ofmulti-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of the parking structure ofFIG. 3 where the platform have been lowered to be flush with the groundto allow a car to park thereon;

FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A where the platform is being furtherlowered in the underground structure with the cover being lowered at thesame time;

FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIG. 4A where the platform has been fullylowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the coverhas been lowered to be flush with the ground to conceal the car;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment ofmulti-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 5 where a car is parked on theplatform and the platform is flush with the ground;

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6A where the platform is being loweredin the underground structure and the cover is moving to partiallyconceal the underground structure; and

FIG. 6C is a view similar to FIG. 6A where the platform has been fullylowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the coverhas been moved to fully conceal the underground structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordancewith a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The parkingstructure is one of a plurality of such structures of a parking lot. Theparking structure comprises a rectangular underground structure 10, anautomobile jack 20, a platform 30, and a cover 40. Each component isdiscussed in detail below.

A space 11 is defined in the underground structure 10. The undergroundstructure 10 has four walls of steel and a bottom of steel. Further,concrete is filled between the steel walls and bottom and the ground soas to fix the underground structure 10 in the soil in construction.Moreover, a first waterproof member 12 made of rubber is adhered to fourtop edges of the underground structure 10. Alternatively, the firstwaterproof member 12 is made of plastic or similar materials havingexcellent waterproof property.

The jack 20 is a hydraulic device and comprises two X-shaped supports 21mounted between the platform 30 and the bottom of the undergroundstructure 10. The jack 20 can be activated to raise or lower theplatform 30 as known in the art.

The cover 40 is rectangular and has a second waterproof member 41 madeof rubber adhered to four edges thereof. Alternatively, the secondwaterproof member 41 is made of plastic or similar materials havingexcellent waterproof property. The cover 40 is hingedly secured to onetop edge of the underground structure 10. The cover 40 is controlled bythe jack 20 in opening or closing operation (i.e., they activate andoperate at the same time). The cover 40 is shaped to conform to the topedges of the underground structure 10 so that the second waterproofmember 41 is adapted to tightly engage with the first waterproof member12 when the cover 40 is closed onto the underground structure 10 bypivoting (see FIG. 2C).

It is contemplated by the invention that the parking structure is awaterproof, structurally strong one. The operation of the parkingstructure is as follows. First, a driver drives his or her car 50 ontothe platform 30 which is flush with the ground (see FIG. 2A). Next, thedriver or a parking lot employee activates the jack 20 manually or bymeans of a remote control. The jack 20 thus lowers the platform 30 andthe cover 40 also pivots downward (see FIG. 2B). Finally, the platform30 is fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure 10and the cover 40 is flush with the ground to conceal the car 50 (seeFIG. 2C).

Referring to FIG. 2C in conjunction with FIG. 1, the second waterproofmember 41 of the cover 40 is adapted to tightly engage with the firstwaterproof member 12 of the underground structure 10 when the cover 40is closed onto the underground structure 10. Hence, the undergroundstructure 10 is waterproof so as to protect the car 50 therein. It isalso noted that the cover 40 is closed onto the underground structure 10when the underground structure 10 is not occupied by a car (i.e., theunderground structure 10 is closed and waterproof) so as to preventwater or other foreign objects from getting in.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 4C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordancewith a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Thecharacteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below.The cover 40 has four corners being supported by four telescopichydraulic pistons 42 of four hydraulic cylinders (not shown) which aremounted at four corners of the underground structure 10. For parking acar, the cover 40 is first lifted by raising the hydraulic pistons 42(see FIG. 3). At the same time, the jack 20 is lifted until the platform30 is flush with the ground (see FIG. 4A). Thereafter, a driver maydrive his or her car 50 onto the platform 30. Next, the driver or aparking lot employee activates the jack 20 manually or by means of aremote control. The jack 20 thus lowers the platform 30 and thehydraulic pistons 42 also retract into the hydraulic cylinders to lowerthe cover 40 (see FIG. 4B). Finally, the platform 30 is fully lowered toa stop position in the underground structure 10 and the cover 40 isflush with the ground to conceal the car 50 (see FIG. 4C).

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordancewith a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. Thecharacteristics of the third preferred embodiment are detailed below.The cover 40 is provided as a conveyor having two bottom grooves (notshown) moveably put on two parallel rails 43 to the right of theunderground structure 10 (see FIG. 5). Moreover, a driving mechanism(not shown) including chains, gears, and a motor is provided foractivating both the jack 20 and the cover 40. Hence, the cover 40 iscapable of moving along the rails 43 in operation. For parking a car,the cover 40 is open by moving along the rails 43 to its rightmost stopposition (see FIG. 5). A driver may drive his or her car 50 onto theplatform 30. Next, the driver or a parking lot employee activates thejack 20 manually or by means of a remote control. The jack 20 thuslowers the platform 30 with the cover 40 being moved leftward as aresult of the activation of the driving mechanism (see FIG. 6B).Finally, the platform 30 is fully lowered to a stop position in theunderground structure 10 and the cover 40 moves to the top of theunderground structure 10 to conceal the car 50 (see FIG. 6C).

It is contemplated by the invention that the cover 40 flush with theground can be utilized as another parking space when the undergroundstructure 10 is occupied by the car 50. Therefore, the purpose ofconstructing a multi-tier parking structure is achieved. Further, theunderground structure 10 is waterproof.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces and a plurality ofparking structures coinciding with the parking spaces, the parkingstructure comprising: an underground structural member with anrectangular top opening and a space defined therein, the undergroundstructural member including a first waterproof member mounted around theopening; a hydraulically-powered platform mounted on the bottom of theunderground structural member, the platform being adapted to raise outof the underground structural member or lower into the undergroundstructural member; a hydraulic mechanism; and a cover shaped to conformto the opening of the underground structural member and including aperipheral second waterproof member, the cover being operable byactivating the hydraulic mechanism; wherein in response to parking anautomobile on the platform the platform is activated to lower and thehydraulic mechanism is activated to cause the cover to close onto theopening of the underground structural member, and the second waterproofmember is sealingly engaged with the first waterproof member when theplatform lowers to a stop position in the underground structural member.2. The parking lot of claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly secured toone side of the opening of the underground structural member.
 3. Theparking lot of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic mechanism comprises fourhydraulic cylinders mounted at four corners of the undergroundstructural member, the hydraulic cylinders having four telescopichydraulic pistons secured to four bottom corners of the cover.
 4. Theparking lot of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises two parallelbottom grooves and the hydraulic mechanism comprises two parallel railswith the grooves slidably put thereon, and wherein in response toparking an automobile on the platform, lowering the platform, andactivating the hydraulic mechanism the cover is adapted to move alongthe rails to close onto the opening of the underground structuralmember.